The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

October 3, 2009

Third Gauley rafting death sets grim record

The third fatality of the 2009 Gauley River whitewater rafting season was reported Friday, this one claiming the life of an Indiana man, National Park Service officials said.

It is believed to be the first time three people have died in a single Gauley season.

Friday’s victim was a 30-year-old man from Fishers, Ind., the park service said. His identity was being withheld pending family notification.

The accident occurred around noon when one of seven rafts from Oak Hill-based American Canadian Expeditions Ltd. entered Lost Paddle, one of five Class V rapids on the Upper Gauley, the park service said. The victim fell from the raft and became pinned under water.

When the man was pulled from the water, CPR was initiated, the park service said. Responders from the park service, the Ansted Volunteer Fire Department and Jan-Care Ambulance utilized an automatic external defibrillator and assisted in rescue efforts.

The victim was transported by HealthNet helicopter to Summersville Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:28 p.m., the park service said.

The park service and the state Division of Natural Resources are conducting the investigation.

Just last Sunday, 32-year-old Eric L. Hampton of Louisville, Ky., also on an American Canadian Expeditions trip, died after the raft he was in caught the corner of a rock and overturned at Pillow Rock, another Class V rapid.

The guide managed to upright the raft and get the passengers back in, but Hampton began to experience breathing difficulty and became unresponsive. He died about 90 minutes later at Summersville Memorial.

On Sept. 12, Eric Clark, 40, of Circleville, Ohio, died while rafting with Adventure West Virginia Resort. Clark, three other rafters and their guide were thrown into the river when their raft struck a large wave in the Class V Insignificant rapid.

Clark was pulled into another raft, but then began exhibiting medical difficulties and apparently went into cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead at Summersville Memorial.

The 22-day Gauley season began Sept. 11 and ends Oct. 18, Bridge Day weekend.

Text Only
Local News
AP Video
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy NC Police: Mom Injects Chemical Into Baby's IV Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3% Komen Reverses Planned Parenthood Cuts 2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better Hiring Burst Pushes Jobless Rate Down to 8.3% Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands Past Complaint About LA Teacher Comes to Light Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest Reaction Heated on Planned Parenthood-Komen Rift First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy? Madonna Nervous About Super Bowl Halftime Show Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com